MATSEC IM Greek cheat sheet

Skim the questions before listening or reading; identify key question words (ποιός, πού, πότε, γιατί) to focus attention.

In listening, the answer often follows a contrast marker (αλλά, όμως, ενώ); note the information after these words.

For multiple-choice reading items, eliminate options that are true but not stated in the text; the correct answer must be directly supported.

Recognise cohesive devices: pronoun reference (αυτός, εκείνος) and discourse markers (λοιπόν, δηλαδή, ωστόσο) signal logical relationships.

In Greek, negative questions (Δεν είναι έτοιμος;) expect a negative answer for confirmation; do not confuse with English polarity.

When summarising a listening passage, include only main ideas; supporting details are distractors in summary questions.

For inference questions, choose the conclusion that follows necessarily from the text, not from general knowledge.

Pay attention to tone and register in listening (formal vs informal address: εσείς/εσύ) as this can affect the correct answer.

Greek nouns have three genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) and four cases (nominative, genitive, accusative, vocative); articles and adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case.

The genitive singular of masculine nouns in -ος is -ου; feminine in -η is -ης; neuter in -ο is -ου. Learn the article forms: ο/η/το, του/της/του, τον/την/το.

Verb aspect: imperfective stem for present/continuous, perfective stem (often with -σ-) for aorist; future is formed with θα + dependent (perfective or imperfective) form.

The aorist passive is formed with the suffix -θη- (or -η- for some verbs): γράφτηκε, αγαπήθηκε; the perfect tense uses έχω/είμαι + infinitive (απαρέμφατο).

Common prepositions take specific cases: σε + accusative, από + accusative, με + accusative, για + accusative, κατά + accusative, μετά + accusative (or genitive for 'with' in formal).

Vocabulary: learn words in context; Greek has many derivatives from the same root (e.g., γράφω, γραφείο, συγγραφέας, γραπτός).

False friends: 'συμπαθητικός' means 'likeable', not 'sympathetic'; 'ενδιαφέρων' means 'interesting', not 'indifferent'.

Conditional sentences: real condition uses να + subjunctive or indicative; unreal uses θα + past tense (αν είχα, θα πήγαινα).

When translating Greek to English, render the aorist as simple past or present perfect depending on context; do not translate it as past continuous.

Greek uses double negatives for emphasis (δεν βλέπω τίποτα); in English, use a single negative (I see nothing).

English phrasal verbs often correspond to single Greek verbs (e.g., 'give up' = παρατώ); avoid word-for-word translation.

Greek articles are used with proper names and abstract nouns more than in English; omit them in English when not needed (Η Μαρία είναι δασκάλα → Maria is a teacher).

For English to Greek, decide on aspect: use the perfective stem for completed actions (έγραψα) and imperfective for habitual or ongoing (έγραφα).

Greek word order is flexible; place the topic first and focus last. English passive often becomes Greek active with 'από' or impersonal 'γίνεται'.

Translate idioms by their sense, not literally: 'it's raining cats and dogs' → βρέχει καρεκλοπόδαρα.

Check that the translation preserves register: formal English 'you' becomes εσείς; informal becomes εσύ.

For an essay, use a clear structure: introduction (θέση), main body with examples (επιχειρήματα), conclusion (συμπέρασμα).

Formal letter openings: Αξιότιμε κύριε/Αξιότιμη κυρία, followed by a comma; close with Με εκτίμηση.

Use linking words to connect ideas: αρχικά, επιπλέον, ωστόσο, επομένως, συμπερασματικά.

Cultural knowledge: Greece has nine geographic regions; Athens is the capital; the Greek Orthodox Church plays a major role in festivals (Πάσχα, Χριστούγεννα).

Key historical periods: Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, Classical era (5th c. BC), Hellenistic period (Alexander the Great), Byzantine Empire (330–1453), Ottoman rule (1453–1821), modern state (1821 onwards).

Modern Greek literature: Dionysios Solomos wrote the Hymn to Liberty (national anthem); Odysseas Elytis and George Seferis won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

In written production, avoid literal translation from English; use Greek collocations (κάνω μια βόλτα, παίρνω μια απόφαση).

When writing a dialogue, use the informal second person singular (εσύ) with peers and the formal plural (εσείς) with strangers or elders.